NOTES

AUGUST 2020
Chapter 3: Storage devices and media

GRADE : 8 SUBJECT: ICT

1. What is backing up of data?

• Backing up refers to the copying of files and data to a different medium in case of a problem with the
main storage device
• Backing up files and data on a regular basis is seen as good computing practice and many computer
systems can be set to back up files automatically on a regular basis
• The backups are often stored in a different place to the main storage
• This is in case of fire or some other situation which could lead to irretrievable loss of key data and
files

2. Why backup data?

• Data could be lost due to failure of the original storage device, hardware failure
• Hackers may corrupt or even cause you to lose the data completely
o Viruses: usually caused by hackers to delete and destroy your data in a storage device
• Might need backup if files need to be used elsewhere – original files are then protected against
possible corruption or loss

3. Discuss Serial access and Direct access.

​ Serial access
• This type of access is the slower type because you have to go through everything one by one until you
reach what you want.
• If you want to watch a show that you recorded earlier, you have to rewind / fast-forward through all
other shows until you find it. (can’t just skip)
• The good thing is that when this type of access needs updating you can easily just add another tape and
merge the old one with the new.

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 ​Direct access
• Computer uses a key field to calculate where data has been stored
• It is then able to access the data directly from the calculated position
• Access is much faster than with serial access
• Used in applications where access speed is vital
• When updating media which uses direct access, the new data is written to the next available location and
its position is calculated using the built-in algorithm

4. Devices fall into three different types of backing storage media. Discuss all three different types
with its advantages and disadvantages.(​ Magnetic /Optical/ Solid state)

I. Magnetic Storage Media

a)​Fixed Hard Disk

• Available on all computers and is the main method used for data storage.
• Uses a read/write head to write and read data from it
• Disk surface coated in magnetic film, storage is done by altering binary codes to 1 or 0s.

​ Uses
• Used for storing operating systems, application software and working data
• Real time systems and online systems used fixed hard drives
• Used in file servers for computer networks

​ Advantages
• Very fast data transfer rate and fast access times to data
• Have very large memory capacities

​Disadvantages
• Can be easily damaged
• They lack portability

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 ​b) Portable hard disk drives
• Similar to hard disks but are usually connected via universal serial bus

​ Uses
• Can be used as backup systems to prevent loss of data
• Can be used to transfer data, files and software between computers

​Advantages
• Data access time and transfer rate is very fast
• Large memory capacities
• Can be used to transfer information between computers

​Disadvantages
• Can be easily damaged

c) Magnetic tapes
• Thin strip of plastic which is coated in a magnetic layer
• Read and written by read/write head

​Uses

•Application where batch processing is used

• Used as a backup media

​ Advantages
• Generally less expensive and very robust technology
• Data transfer rate is fast

​Disadvantages
• Access time is very slow
• When updating another tape is needed

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II. Optical Storage Media

a) CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

• Read only memory – cannot be overwritten
• Data is stored as a series of pits and lands formed by a laser beam etching the surface at
manufacturing stage

​ Uses
• Store music files and software
• Very large storage capacity and are used to store films.

​Advantages
• Holds more data than floppy disks
• Less expensive than hard disk drives

​ Disadvantages
• Data transfer rate and data access time are slower

b) CD-R and DVD-R

• The letter ‘R’ means the disc is recordable only once and then it becomes ROM
• Use a thin layer of an organic dye as the recording media
• DVDs also use an additional silver alloy or gold reflector
• Laser beam produces heated spots and unheated spots

​Uses

• They are used for home recording of music (CD-Rs) and films (DVD-Rs)
• They are used to store data for later use
• Used in applications where it is necessary to prevent the deletion or over-writing of important data.

​Advantages
• Cheaper than RW disks
• Once burned (and finalized) they are like ROM

Disadvantages

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• Can only be reordered once
• Not all CD/DVD players and can read CD-R

c) CD-RW and DVD-RW

• ‘RW’ means that these disks are re-writable media can be written over several times
• Unlike CD-R/DVD-R they don’t become ROMs
• The recording layer uses a special phase-changing metal alloy
• The alloy can switch between crystalline and amorphous (non-crystalline) phases, thus changing its
reflectivity to light, depending on the laser beam power
• Spots are produced which can be read by a laser
• System allows data to be written, erased and rewritten many times

Uses
• CD-RWs and DVD-RWs are used to record radio and television programs
• They are used in closed circuit television (CCTV) systems

Advantages
• Can be reused many times
• Different file formats can be used each time
• Less wasteful than R format since files or data can be added at a later stage

Disadvantages
• Relatively expensive media
• Possible to accidentally overwrite

d) DVD-RAM
• Recent addition to optical media group
• Unlike other CD and DVD formats, DVD-RAMs have several discrete concentric tracks rather than a
single spiral track
• Gives them advantage that writing and reading can occur at the same time
• Makes it possible to watch an already recorded television program at the same time as a different
program is being recorded
• Recording layer is made from similar phase-changing material to that used in RW technology
• Shiny and dull marks represent data to a computer where they are interpreted

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Uses
• DVD-RAM are used in recording devices such as satellite receivers to allow simultaneous
recording and playback
• They are used in camcorders to store films

Advantages
• Have a long life (30 years)
• Can be re written on more than the DVD-RWs (100,000 times)
• Very reliable as they have built in verification software to ensure accuracy of data
• Access is very fast
• No need to finalize the disk
• Very large capacities
• Ability to read and write data at the same time

Disadvantage
• DVD-RAMS are not as compatible as R or RW, many systems will not recognize this format
• More expensive than DVD-RW

e) Blu-ray disks

Uses

•​ Used for storing and playing back films

• PCs can use this technology for data storage or backing up hard drives
• Camcorders can use this media to store film footage

Advantage
• Very large storage capacity
• Data transfer rate is very fast
• Data access speed is faster than with other optical media

Disadvantage
• Disks are relatively expensive
• Blu-ray disks still have encryption problems

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III. Solid state storage media

a) Solid state drive

• Solid state systems control the movement of electrons within a microchip: if the transistor conducts a
current, this is equivalent to a 1, otherwise it is a 0
• Have no moving parts, consume much less power and are extremely robust
• Data access is faster than harddrive

b) Memory sticks/pen drives

• Can store several GBs of data and use solid state technology
• Connected to a computer through USB port and power to operate drawn from host computer
• Some expensive software increasingly use these storage methods as a form of security

Uses
• Used to transport files between computers
• Used as a security device – a dongle – to prevent software piracy

Advantage
• Very compact and portable media
• Very robust

Disadvantage
• Not possible to write protect the data and files
• Small physical size and are easy to lose.

c) Flash memory cards

• Are a form of electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and are another
example of solid state memories

​Uses
• Used to store photos on digital cameras
• Mobile phones use them as memory cards
• Used in MP3 players to store music

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 • Used as a backup in hand held devices

Advantages
• Very compact
• Very robust

Disadvantages
• Very expensive per Gb of memory when compared to hard drive disks
• Has a finite life in terms of the number of times they can be read from or written to
• Lower storage capacity than hard disk

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